Ash Wednesday is the beginning of our Lenten season. You will see in the bulletin the  times for Confession and the Stations of the Cross as well as the regulations for Fast and Abstinence. This year we are having an evening of Recollection on March 29 and are planning more prayer opportunities.

What is Lent? Traditionally Lent is a penitential season, and so it is; but it can be so much more. The traditional practices of Prayer, Fasting and Acts of Charity are recommended to us to help us grow in our Spiritual Life, our relationship with God and with the Community. Lent can be a Transformational Season, a gift of time and grace to transform us more closely in the image of the Crucified and Risen Christ. As we begin this Lent, I encourage all of us to prayerfully ask God where I need to be transformed, where in my life do I need God’s light and grace; what specific concrete actions or changes can be made in my life to make me more closely resemble Jesus. Ask God for these graces and this light this Lent.
God Bless and may we all have a holy, Spirit filled and transformational Lent.
Fr. Dan

Days of Abstinence: No meat can be eaten on Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays during Lent. This applies to all Catholics 14 and older.

Days to Fast: Only one full meal is permitted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for Catholics between 18 and 59. Two smaller meals are permitted, but the small meals should not equal a second full meal. Drinking coffee, tea and water between meals is allowed. Snacks between meals are not allowed.

One is not bound to fast if health or the ability to work is affected.

Dear Parish Family,
This weekend a number of our children will be celebrating First Penance; not only is this a blessing for our parish, but also a time for each of us to reflect on our own celebration of this great Sacrament of healing. Confession is one of those Sacraments that seem to have fallen out of favor with many; perhaps we don’t believe that we are in need of forgiveness, or perhaps we think that my ‘sin’ is only between God and me. So why should I go to the priest for absolution? First, we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness, St. John writes: “Whoever says that they are not a sinner has made God out to be a liar.” Sin is not just a breaking of a law or a commandment, it is a disruption of righteousness and relationships. When I sin, I choose to diminish (or in the case of mortal sin) cut off my ability to receive and experience God’s grace. If God’s grace was only given to me for me then I do not need to be reconciled with anyone other than God. However, God’s grace is given not just for the individual, but through the individual for the community and the world. My sin, my refusal to love, affects my relationship with God, with my authentic self (the person God created me to be), the community of the Church and the world. I need to be reconciled, not just with God, but with myself, the community and the world. In the Sacrament, God forgives sin, restores relationships and empowers one to live more closely in line with Jesus’ life. Also, in this sacrament we experience both pardon and peace. Take a moment and prayerfully ask yourself: “When was the last time I went to Confession?” If you can’t remember or if it has been over a year then it is time to reacquaint yourself with the celebration of this great gift of healing, reconciliation, restoration and grace.
God Bless,
Fr Dan

The Diocese of Syracuse will no longer mandate that masks be worn in diocesan churches and offices, effective February 10. Although not mandated, the faithful are more than welcome to wear masks out of concern for the health and safety of others.

Dear Co-workers in the Lord’s Vineyard,
On this last day of 2021, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your laboring in the portion of the Lord’s Vineyard known as the Diocese of Syracuse. The circumstances surrounding us during the past year have not been easy, but I appreciate all who have dedicated themselves to the service of the People of God here in Central New York.
As we prepare to cross the threshold into 2022, I wish to again encourage you “to put on Christ” (Rm 13:14) in all that you do. Let us remember how he went out of his way to care for others, especially those cast aside by society or looked down upon. Jesus didn’t worry whether they attended the same synagogue as he did or their membership, but he met fellow pilgrims on the road of life wherever they were at. My collaborators in ministry, I beg you please do the same! So many people feel rejected by the Catholic Church today because they don’t feel they are listened to – whether women, young people, LGBTQ+, the divorced and remarried outside the Church, the abused and exploited, or persons of different creeds or races. I am sure you could add to the list.
In saying this I am not saying we don’t need to preach the truth of God’s Word, but we do it with great love as Jesus did to the woman caught in adultery or the rich young man or the Samaritan woman. Consider how do we help those who come to us to become the saints God has created them to be?! Jesus did not come to preach “a leaner Church is a better Church”. He preached that, “the Kingdom of God was at hand” (Mt 4:17) and invited all whom he encountered to follow him (cf Mt 4:19).
These ideas correspond to my own New Year’s resolution that the Church of Syracuse become known for the kindness found in its churches. One immediate act of kindness is the need for all of us clergy and laity to wear masks in church, especially when greeting people.
Again, thank you for your service to our diocesan family and be assured of my continued prayers.
Happy New Year!
In the Name of Jesus,
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia

There have been reports from parishioners across our diocese who have received emails and texts from individuals claiming to be their pastor. Usually the content of the message will include some form of request for money that is outside of the normal channels of giving, for example electronic gift cards for amazon or iTunes. These messages usually include some sense of urgency and may span over several emails, beginning with an inquiry like “Hi are you available? I have a quick request.” Some of these fraudulent attempts have gone so far as to create email accounts which look very much like an official
address. Please be aware that neither our parish nor father will ever reach out to you directly via email text or social media for direct solicitation of gift cards, wire transfers or other electronic monetary transactions. If you suspect you may have received a fraudulent request, or would like to confirm the genuineness of a message, please contact our parish office. To report a fraudulent request please forward the message to: stop-fraud@syrdio.org

Epiphany of the Lord – January 2, 2022
“They prostrated themselves and did him homage.” The magi not only brought Christ gifts, they also brought themselves and worshiped. What part of you is Christ asking you to leave at his feet, in worship?

Call Father Jason Hage (315) 470-1468 or write: vocations@syrdio.org

December 14, 2021

As you know, New York State has instituted a mask mandate in all public places effective December 13 to January 15. It is being done as a safety precaution and out of the utmost concern for one’s neighbor. Bishop Lucia informed pastors and parish administrators that he expects all parishes in the Diocese of Syracuse to cooperate with this important public health matter and comply with the mask mandate.

After consultation on the guidelines, all public offices in the Diocese of Syracuse must again implement mask wearing in its public spaces immediately. Masks do not need to be worn while eating and drinking so lunch rooms can still be utilized.

Merry Christmas

I was wondering what difference does it make if we greet one another with Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday or Seasons Greetings.? I went to the Merriman-Webster for some definitions. Christmas is a combination of the two words: Christ + Mass; Holiday is derived from the phrase ‘Holy Day’ – a religious feast day. What we are, as Christians, are celebrating on December 25 is not a social or generic event. It is a very specific Holy Day, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus in time; the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is truly a holy day that we celebrate with the Mass, the prayer by which we united ourselves with Jesus in the Holy Spirit in giving thanks to the Father. The primary sacrament of our Catholic Faith in which we encounter our God in the community, in the Word and in a special and unique way in the Sacrament of Jesus’ Body and Blood. There is no other season quite like it and there is no other holiday like it. It is not a celebration of a generic season or generic holiday; it is truly a Holy Day. I encourage all to greet one another with the deeply religious greeting: Merry Christmas!
God Bless,
Fr. Dan

The Marcellus Ecumenical Food Pantry is offering Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets.  All eligible people are welcome to sign up.

General Information about the Food Pantry:

Location:  First Presbyterian Church, corner of E Main and North St. The door is on the North St. side.

Hours: Every Tuesday 10:30-noon, and the LAST Tuesday of the month, 6:30-7:30pm.

Guidelines: Resident of Marcellus school district, financial eligibility or needs food!  If a person needs food and is unable to get here, a friend may be authorized for pickup.

If you have any questions, contact Sue March or Maureen Germain through the First Presbyterian Church by leaving a message at (315) 673-2201.